Soccer analyst Alexi Lalas has picked his ideal U.S. men's national team lineup for a hypothetical 2026 World Cup match today, and there's a notable call in goal—he's sticking with Matt Turner over rising talent Patrick Freese. The rest of the XI reflects a mix of established stars and emerging players, sparking debate about who's truly ready to lead the team on the world stage.

Editor’s Note: With the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., every lineup debate carries extra weight—fans and pundits are already dissecting who should (or shouldn’t) be in the squad. Lalas’ choices, especially the goalkeeper call, highlight the tension between experience and fresh talent as the team builds toward the tournament. It’s a snapshot of where the team stands now, but expect these conversations to keep evolving.